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Apologize Perfectly Every Time With These 8 Effective Steps

In the aftermath of last week’s Republican debates, candidate Donald Trump picked a fight with moderator Megyn Kelly. The war of words has been heavily documented over the Internet, and many people are asking both parties involved to apologize. If Trump or Kelly decides to do so, what is the right way to go about it? Inc. highlights just that with a list of eight effective steps to sincerely apologize. Since learning to gracefully say we’re sorry is a skill we all should master, I’m listing the actions below.

Own it. Say what you did wrong out loud. Show that you are aware of your actions and their consequences.

Don’t make excuses. Drinking too much or being forgetful or late doesn’t make it okay.

Keep it simple. Don’t say too much.

Be specific. Clearly identify what you are apologizing for. Don’t say, “I’m sorry that I upset you.” Instead say, “I’m sorry I yelled at you about the kitchen being messy.”

Make it heartfelt. We all make mistakes and are only human, so show genuine emotion. If those tears come, don’t hold back.

Put yourself in the shoes of the person you hurt. Think about how your actions would make you feel if the tables were turned. Would you be sad? Anxious? Scared? Respond to these emotions.

Ask yourself, "What could I have done differently?" Explain how you could have handled the situation in a better way.

Take action. Express how you plan to change things. If you’re always blowing up at your loved ones, perhaps an anger management class could help you better control your feelings.